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rlmorel · Jan 13, 2003, 06:00 PM

I apologize if the forum is not the correct one, but I cannot seem to find what I need, and seeing as how this group is fairly versatile, I was hoping someone could help me.

I want to compose music on my mac, and play directly through the mac. My wife got me a nice keyboard with MIDI, but it is bare bones, no voices or anything.

I have a keyboard, USB MIDI adaptor, and my mac with OSX. Can anyone suggest software to me that would enable me to use my music keyboard for input for composition, or direct playthrough to speakers?

Stradlater · Jan 13, 2003, 06:09 PM

SimpleSynth allows to just play around with the GM Midi sounds you have. Invest in Propellerheads' Reason and you'll have a very nice composition program.

Eug · Jan 13, 2003, 07:22 PM

Which MIDI USB adapters are recommended? I have a Kaysound 5-octave keyboard.

tr · Jan 13, 2003, 09:21 PM

Originally posted by Eug:
Which MIDI USB adapters are recommended? I have a Kaysound 5-octave keyboard.

i've got a kaysound mk-4902, and i'm using a midiman midisport 2x2. works great, plus m-audio is pretty good at mac support/drivers

http://www.m-audio.com/products/midiman/usbmidi.php

tr

Nebagakid · Jan 13, 2003, 09:36 PM

intuem at intuem.com

it is a young program, but it gets the job done (90 percent of the time)

Eug · Jan 13, 2003, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by tr:
i've got a kaysound mk-4902, and i'm using a midiman midisport 2x2. works great, plus m-audio is pretty good at mac support/drivers

http://www.m-audio.com/products/midiman/usbmidi.php

Thanks.

What do you use for software? Are you using your Mac for the sounds? The drivers seem to be OS 9 only.

I guess you think a 1x1 is too limiting? (There are two models of the 1x1, but I dunno what the difference is between the two.)

dws · Jan 13, 2003, 10:33 PM

I would also cast a vote for Intuem.

For a person new to MIDI, the last thing you want is to spend a huge amount of money - and dedicate the next few months to a large learning curve.

Intuem has a very gentle learning curve. You'll be recording your music within minutes. Does it have all the features of Reason? No, of course not; but it is more than enough to get you through the first year or two of music composition on your computer.

Now... On to soundfonts...

Quicktime sounds are pretty lousy (when compared to what's out there).

Search Google for downloadable free soundfonts. The files are huge, but worth it.

My personal favorite soundfont banks:
Reality, Musica Theoria, Unison & a general-purpose GS Roland

The combination of a keyboard, a MIDI interface recognized by OS Xs Audio Midi Setup & some nice soundfonts - music heaven!

rlmorel · Jan 14, 2003, 05:16 AM

I just want to say thanks to all of you who answered (even though this is not the correct forum...) and suggested the solutions.

I am amazed at how easy MIDI setup is on the mac in OSX. I have not figured out how to record using intuem, but it does play. It looks like it records, but I cannot hear it or play it back. I'm sure I will work it out.

Again, thanks. This is a great start for me, just what I was looking for.

Cheers,
Bob

greenG4 · Jan 14, 2003, 06:39 AM

I am a semi-music professional, and I use Sibelius (www.sibelius.com) for composing and publishing on OS X. For producing on OSX, I'm not yet sure of what is the best. I use Digital Performer (www.motu.com), but that still requires a restart into 9.

greenG4 · Jan 14, 2003, 06:42 AM

oos. double-post